A new travel research has made interesting revelations about the way travellers are going to embark on journeys in the coming year. 

The annual Travel Predictions research by Booking.com reveals that in 2026 travellers are designing trips as unique as they are – curating journeys that reflect exactly who they are, what they want and what they love. Whether open to travelling with a potential romantic partner, co-worker or new friend to test their compatibility (88 per cent), using technology to locate and visit spots tied to personal memories (89 per cent) or chasing the cosmic rhythm of a trip aligning with their horoscope (70 per cent), 2026 marks the rise of trips that are more individual, more experimental and more unapologetically true to who travellers really are.
 
The data also reveals trending destinations set to become must-visit vacation spots in 2026 and surprisingly it isn`t one of the popular destinations but a hidden gem. Kochi has emerged as one of the top trending destinations for 2026, joining global hotspots like Mui Ne (Vietnam), Bilbao (Spain), Barranquilla (Colombia), Philadelphia (USA), Guangzhou (China), Sal (Cape Verde), Manaus (Brazil), Munster (Germany) and Port Douglas (Australia).
 
Kochi, India 
Set on India’s southwestern coast in Kerala, Kochi is a waterfront city shaped by centuries of global trade and cultural exchange. Wander the atmospheric lanes of Fort Kochi, where colorful mansions sit beside hip art cafés, and iconic Chinese fishing nets sway against the horizon of the Arabian Sea.